Dragon Queen (Avery Rome Book 3) Read online

  There was a nod then, from Will. His face was a bit serious, but he didn’t comment on why that was really. Probably that they were being a lot more work than a simple camping trip had implied originally. On the good side, there was no flavor of upset to his words when he spoke. Just focused concentration.

  “We can set that up. What do we have to trade for those things? Really, we can probably borrow a container for the milk, but we can’t give that part back.”

  The idea was different. Really, they could trade anything that she’d brought with them, safely enough. It would be harder to cook and bake without her pots and pans, but it could be done, in a pinch. No one spoke for a few moments, but finally Bridget called out some ideas.

  Her high-pitched voice was friendly seeming on the topic.

  “I have some rope? Good nylon stuff. I brought lots, just in case. Also, I have an extra knife or two? They’re not expensive though. I’m kind of hard on things like that. I could also help with some work? Or… I don’t know, give someone a blowjob?”

  There were some snickers at the last idea, with a slightly dark look from Willum, who cleared his throat.

  “Don’t even mention that last one again? Not here. Plus, it would be a little much for some milk. Even in a bigger city. The rope or a knife might work. That would still probably be over paying. Maybe we can strike up a deal though? We’re here for a few weeks, after all.”

  If the girl felt scolded at all, it didn’t show on her face. She just seemed considering.

  “That could work. We should help out the local economy though, if we’re doing work things here. Give back to the people in the area. Maybe give them some presents or… I don’t know how that works. Do something nice for them?”

  Behind the cameras, both Mark and Denis had turned to get what was being said by the girl. As soon as she stopped talking, they turned the cameras back to other things. That being fire watching and food preparation. They used one of the Dutch ovens to boil water for the tea. More to the point, Leslie and Terra did that part for them, without needing to be asked to help out.

  Alan worked in with Phillip, making sure that the cooking tools were cleaned as they went. It was an actual chore, since they had to run to the creek to wash things. That didn’t get them perfectly sterile, but when you were cooking outside, things simply weren’t going to be.

  They also managed to get Sara in their group. Neither boy flirted with her or anything, even if she was pretty. She also looked to be about thirteen, which was too young for them. That meant they didn't need to mention her real age at all. Will watched them, but was fairly covert about it all. Certainly, ready to rush in and fight for his young friend at need, but there was no hostility to it.

  Just enough caution to be seen as real.

  Some of the IPB people, with Kaitlyn working in with them, helped to get the main portion of the evening’s food ready, using the magical device. That meant making things out of dirt, but not one person turned their nose up at the idea. Not even among her fairly soft seeming friends.

  Will got another device out and used it to make dishes and glassware for them all. Actually, it took three devices, but they also had silverware that looked real. It wasn’t, however. It felt right when she touched it, but the metal and ceramic wasn’t there at all, to her inner sense of such things. That meant it was magic, she didn’t doubt.

  In all, just as it was turning dark, they were able to show that they had a full meal prepared for everyone there. Willum had to make some lights, but seemed to be ready for that.

  They ate, sitting on the ground, around the large magical fire that had been set up. That was just as warm as a bonfire, at a distance. Closer to the thing it was about the same though, making it impossible to roast things over. There was no smoke from it, which people seemed to appreciate.

  Brian did at least.

  “This is really nice. Thanks, everyone. Especially you, Will. I know that we’ve been kind of a pain.”

  Avery nodded at that, having fire roasted chicken, boiled and seasoned potatoes and some fresh herb bread on her plate. It was what Denis had given her, so she ate it, smiling while she did. Trying not to feel watched the whole time.

  Mark and Kerry had the same thing, as did Bridget. That just about finished the food that they’d made that way, since there wasn’t really enough to go around. Everyone else had grand plates filled to overflowing however, with pretty much anything they desired. A lot of them had chicken however, which looked similar to what she and the others had made.

  Taking a bite, Mark made a bit of a face. It was in consideration of the food.

  “The chicken is a bit dry. The bread is good. I didn’t figure on that, given everything. It’s done all the way through. Crusty, but not too chewy. The potatoes are… Fine really. We should try roasting them, I think. Possibly with some butter?”

  Taking another bite of the chicken, Avery could get what he meant. More than that, Tarsus showed up in her head, the memory coaching her about what to say. She could have been insulted by the critique of her cooking after all. If a man of The Gray had said those things, she probably would have been beaten for her failure that night. The basic idea left her feeling a little uneasy. Especially with Den being right there.

  Instead she simply smiled and nodded.

  “We should have basted it more. Well, we can do that with the next meal? We should do a different kind of meat though. Mutton or lamb, maybe?”

  Instead of slapping her down, even with words, the peaceful seeming fellow lit up.

  “That’s a great idea! Tomorrow evening? Or the day after. We need to recharge the batteries. We have some solar panels for that, but, you know, that takes sunshine.”

  Nodding, she finished her food, then poked Will in the arm, seeing his plate was empty as well.

  “We can make dessert? Using that magic of yours?”

  He stood up, his face pleased.

  “That we can! Come on. We need to fill the working material back up first.” The words got several people to stand then, clearly volunteering to help out.

  Chapter eleven

  Avery had been one of the first people to go to bed that night. Everyone from her world turned in earlier than the IPB people, since they were on similar, but slightly different schedules. That meant, as soon as the tent started to lighten, she was also one of the first to get up for the day. Her sleeping bag was thin enough not to be too hot, but had just been placed on the bottom of the tent. She’d brought a pillow with her, unlike Phillip, who was right next to her, even if that might not be considered appropriate to some people.

  The fascinating portion of things was that there were at least eight people in the tent with them. One of them was Kaitlyn, which made sense, but most of the others were from the IPB world. The blonde woman, who was a bit older, but good looking, was right next to her near the door side of the tent. Next to her on the far side was Mark, from the cooking program. That was one side of things. The other side was still asleep, but she kind of got who about half of them were. There was a man with a full beard and red hair, who sat up as soon as she did. He had some scars on his face, but seemed nice. He grinned happily, anyway. Next to him slept a small moving bundle, which appeared to be Bridget.

  For a moment, Avery wondered if this man was her father. She didn’t ask however, in case that was rude. The rules were simply going to be different in some places. Who the others were, she didn’t know, just grabbing clothing from her gear, which was right behind her head. She took that with her, along with a towel, only to find that several other people had the same idea, following her as she woke for the day. They didn't talk until they got outside.

  It was her fellow line walker, Willum, who spoke first. He’d been sitting near the fire pit, which had been allowed to burn out overnight. In his hand was the same stone as before, which was put away, as soon as he opened his eyes.

  “I don’t really need it. My focus is fine still, but it’s good to test myself. It cr
eates discomfort if I lack enough concentration. Sitting in the void would work too, but I don’t want to leave people here alone for too long.” Standing, he stretched a bit. Silently.

  Then he noticed her gear and nodded.

  “We have showers. You’ll have to share, but we can all go at one time. There are separate stalls, so… I don’t know if that’s allowable? We can make the men wait, if that suits better?”

  Really, she didn't know either.

  “I’m shy that way, but it sounds all right? If not, then we might have to make separate arrangements. Let’s go and see?” She’d showered with other people before, after all. For years. They were all Shifters, so hadn’t stared or examined her too much while they did their own bathing for the day. Her friends might not be ready for that kind of thing, however. The idea of Terra doing that was incredibly awkward sounding. Debbie would be in the same general area of life.

  Rebekah was probably fine, being so old that she just wouldn’t care about small things like public nudity.

  Though, when they got to the building, which was good sized, if not vast, it simply wasn’t an issue. The stalls in the magical stone building were separate rooms, if small ones. They even had privacy locks on the doors. Sure the things were bendable and could be walked through with a tiny bit of effort. For her. To everyone else they might as well have been real.

  “This should be fine for everyone. At least the ones I came with? How about the IPB? I don’t know the rules in that world.” She addressed this to the red-haired man, who simply smiled happily.

  “Aye. This should be fine and more. Are we to provide victuals for the cooking program portion of things this morn, or are we doing elsewise?”

  Thinking about it, making a grid of what she knew fairly rapidly, Avery shook her head.

  “We’re using the magical device for it. As long as we’re allowed to, Will? If I’m doing it I’ll probably have to kiss the thing. Which might be interesting.” It was possible they weren’t allowed, but the man just nodded, working over to a door near the end of the central hallway. There were ten stalls, or at least ten doors. He didn’t seem to have any clothing with him, but had on the magical kind, which probably explained that part of things.

  “That would work, I bet. It isn’t as if magic can hold a virus or bacteria. We need to provide that metal container and barter for some milk as well. Then we should go and visit someplace? We have invitations to several locations of an interesting variety. We might wish to go to the Capital first? I sort of promised Prince Alphonse that I’d introduce you all to him. He volunteered to come and camp with us as well, but wants to make certain he’d be welcome first.”

  That sounded daunting, but Avery nodded anyway.

  “That sounds fun. Is he nice?” If not, then she could skip it, herself. If that were something allowed in the rules.

  Her new friend just grinned at her.

  “He actually is, surprisingly enough. You’d think he’d be all stuck up, but really, he’s just like anyone else. Especially Master Hobbs.”

  That didn't get explained, but she managed to work it out for herself anyway. The men were, probably, the same people. It was kind of clear that Hobbs was also Chi, the Bat Shifter. She’d heard that Alphonse and Chi were the same man before as well, so that seemed right.

  “Ah? That sounds interesting then. Let me get cleaned up and then we should see about setting up food for everyone. Or…” She didn’t have a right to ask anyone to do that, really. No one with her was even from the same world she was.

  The blonde woman that had been sleeping next to her all night nodded, a bit sleepily.

  “That sounds like a wonderful plan. Some, like Bridget, will need a fairly large meal, first thing.”

  That got Willum to agree, almost instantly.

  “Right, Christian… We should hurry, given that. Olga will need food as well. How about your people, Avery?”

  She thought for a bit, and realized that she didn’t know, for all of them.

  “We should be good that way. Like normal Humans. Except for me and Leslie. We’re Shifters. I eat more by far though. She’s a Raccoon Shifter, I’m a Dragon. That makes a difference.”

  There were nods, but no comments. People just picked a room and hurried through their showers. That meant they were all finished at about the same time. Just as a second group was coming out of their tents, gear in hand.

  One of those was Bridget, though she stumbled a bit awkwardly, twitching rapidly the whole time. Her face was bleary on a level that made her seem almost drugged. From her scent, the girl was actually starving. As in, beginning to eat her own body for fuel, already. That had a meaty scent to it, but was obvious as she came near.

  It was a distinctive thing. That got Avery to dash to the magical device, and grab a plate from the top. Then, feeling more than a little bit conspicuous, she leaned over and kissed the central sigil of the thing. It was awkward, but oddly enough, she could feel a small tingle of energy as the magic connected with her mind. Focusing, she made the only thing that came to mind as emergency food.

  Donuts. Lots of them, in six different varieties. They were cool, but otherwise totally fresh.

  “Bridget, this way. Here… Eat.” She passed the first heaping plate over, not knowing if the things would be too strange for the girl. They were from much different worlds, after all. Even if they had similar foods, it was possible that the textures or flavors would be slightly different.

  Instead of doing anything else, such as looking at the plate suspiciously, Bridget simply took the thing and settled to the ground, right in front of the magical device. Then she started to cram donuts into the middle of her face at a speed that seemed impressive.

  Seeing that, knowing what it meant, Avery just made more, lining the top of the magical box with plates of food. Most of them similar, but also buttered toast, some with cinnamon sugar, and eggs. Sausage as well. Over the next half hour almost everyone came past and had at least something. A few needed special things made. For instance, Hobbs needed fruit. She was able to make that for him, and the man didn’t seem to find it odd or shameful that it wasn’t picked from a tree. He didn’t even blink at her unusual interaction with the device. It probably meant that everyone just accepted that she and the food device were dating now.

  When Mark came over, the man looked at the food, passed instant judgement, and then shook his head.

  “You can do a better display than this. We need a table or two. It looks fine, but…” He winced then. Mainly because Christian, the blonde lady, was glaring at him. Only a little bit though. There was also a tiny smile on her lips, to make the whole thing seem less scolding.

  “Really? We’re camping out. The food doesn’t have to be gourmet all the time, does it? Notice how no one else is complaining? Hmm?” She softened the words with a gentle look, then moved over to the man, giving him a hug. “How about you, I don’t know, just relax a bit? I’m nearly certain you’re allowed to take a few hours off, every once and a while.”

  “True. Sorry, Hon. Really, it all looks great. Is there pork in the sausage? I’m Jewish…”

  She knew what that was. It was a religion. At least if it was the same thing in her world. There were some foods that different religions forbade their people.

  “Beef. It isn’t real anyway, but you can make your own, if you want? I can show you how? You probably won’t even have to kiss the device…”

  That part, interestingly enough, went over really well with the man. He fumbled a little bit at first, then started making incredible looking dishes for people as they came up.

  People still loaded up on her donuts though. A thing not lost on the man at all.

  “People do love their fat and sugar. I need more dirt.” Then the man distorted space a bit, and did something interesting. He jumped, moving about three inches to his right. The hopper of the magical device having been refilled.

  She just watched, getting that something magical had just taken pl
ace. What exactly, she didn't know. There was no explanation either, just the man making food for anyone who wanted more.

  It was easier than the meal the night before had been, by a lot. In fact, by the time the sky was truly light, they were all finished with their food for the day. Bridget ran off, to shower and change. Like Will, she had magical clothing with her. Still, she moved to the tent to get other gear for cleaning. That was just a small bag, that had a strap on it.

  Finally, Will stood up.

  “Now, we need to go to some different places. Or, really, we don’t have to do it that way, but we should anyway. We didn’t come just to see the woods, pretty as they are, after all. Does anyone feel like walking into Pine Creek with me? We need to find a metal container for milk. Then we need to find Old Larry. He has cows and more milk than a single man needs to drink each day. He trades it, but always has extra.”

  That had everyone heading out with them for the day. It was probably a bit much just to barter for a few simple goods, but being out and about in a new world was kind of interesting, all on its own. Mark and Denis set up some solar panels, having a lot of the things for some reason. Those were just to charge batteries, but they hadn’t used up everything they had, so the cameras were brought with them.

  The walk out was easier, not carrying a thousand pounds of gear with them. At least for her. As she moved along the air pine scented and fresh, Bridget came up to her, walking in companionable silence for a bit. That portion of time was, approximately, fifteen seconds. Then the girl sort of gushed at her.

  “Those donuts were really good, earlier. Mark is a bit of a food snob, to be honest. Then, it’s kind of how he makes his living. That and saving people’s lives. Don’t take it personally. He kind of tends to forget that not everyone is a professional chef and baker all the time. Most people’s relationship with food is that they eat it. I know that’s my favorite part.” She looked at Avery closely, as if expecting her to be upset.